Library board outlines $50,000 renovation plan and council approves new children-at-work policy

The Mookerton Library Board presented a plan Tuesday to spend a $50,000 donation from the American Academy on repairs and upgrades to the library building and grounds, and the City Council approved a new library policy addressing children in the workplace.

"We were generously given from the American Academy $50,000 to update the library," said Lenay, the library board president, who described proposed uses including replacing the west-side door, installing security cameras, replacing worn carpet, repainting interior and exterior surfaces, installing LED lighting, adding concrete where landscaping is currently weed-infested, adding outdoor seating and planters, and buying new chairs and artwork. The board's estimate for the project totaled $49,914, she said.

Board members said construction items would be publicly bid under the city's procurement policy and smaller purchases such as furniture and artwork would be handled directly by the library board. Lenay said the board would proceed in sequence: complete higher-priority items first and move to lower-priority items as funding and bids allow.

On a separate motion the council approved a new library policy titled "children in the workplace." Councilors said the policy is meant to remove ambiguity and align library operations with the library board's recommendations. The policy was brought forward by the library board and the council approved it following a motion and second.

City staff said the board has compiled all library policies into a single binder and staff will scan and provide electronic copies to councilors.

The council noted that if bids return higher than estimates, unfinished items could be placed on the library's budget wish list for future consideration. Staff confirmed the city has already paid $3,140 from the donation toward a new door, leaving $46,008.86 recorded on the budget line for this grant.